By Works a Man is Justified James 2:24

James, the “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, shared with his readers how a person's “faith” is shown by their “works”, and he employed Abraham's demonstration of his“faith” by offering his son Isaac as a sacrifice before God as an example. In chapter two and verse twenty-four of his letter, James repeated his conclusion, “by faith a man is justified” where we read:

You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

The verse begins, “You see then how that by works a man is justified,...” James began with the words, “You see then” or “perceive, know, are acquainted with and experience” “how that by works” which means “business, employment and that which one occupied” “is justified” or “is rendered righteous, such as he ought to be, shown, exhibited, evinced, declared and pronounced to be just”. James reasoned that “works” were “faith's” evidence by which a person was “rendered righteous and just”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and not by faith only.” James continued, “and not by faith” which means “the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ and a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God” “only” or “solely, alone and merely”. James declared true “faith” was demonstrated by corresponding “works”.

When we think through these words of James, we are reminded that we must have “works” that align with our “faith”. We may say we believe something and commit deeds which are contrary to our belief. Jesus Christ desires true “believers” and not those who only say they have “faith”. True “faith” in Jesus Christ will produce “works”, and when those “deeds” are implemented, as Abraham, we are “rendered righteous” and “just” before Him.

Next time James uses “Rahab the harlot” as an example, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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